Help. I'm trying to import an Illustrator file into Maya to animate a logo. Required result: Logo should retain original CMYK color scheme.

I have tried numerous time to import the file from Illustrator and keep getting nothing in the workspace after the import. No error messages...nada.

I read that I need to convert my vector file to paths before importing. Don't know how to do that cause I thought Illustrator files were paths and that might be my problem. Have tried exporting the Illustrator file to .AI and .EPS with no luck.

I haven't used illustrator in about 5 years. So i'm not exactly sure how the program works. But it's a vector based program that draws everything out of lines and curves. So if Illustrator actually exports these lines, then is there an option to export as an .IGES. I use IGES format to transfer CAD files into MAYA.

Check to see if you can export to IGES. I'm not sure if you can with Illustrator.

Originally posted by adldesigner
In Graphic Design -and imagery in general- you have two types of images, bitmaps and vector graphics.

Bitmaps are images composed of a pixel reticule, in which each pixel has a RGB value, thus creating a big mosaic of pixels. This mosaic when seen from a distance -In reality this is resolution dependant- form an image. If you resample a bitmap image to a higher size, since you can´t invent information from nothing you´ll notice the mosaic nature of these images.
A perfect example of bitmaps imagery is found here in SM, as all the images are bitmap-type.
Bitmaps editing applications are your common photo image editors, such as PhotoImpact, MS Paint, and the industry standard Adobe Photoshop.

Vector Graphics are images created by the use of mathematical formulas -thus the vector name, as they are governed by these mathematical principles-, which is why these are resolution independant. At whatever resolution you see them, they´ll look the same.
These images can be seen in almost all the articles you have in your kitchen, house, car ... etc. They offer versatility in almost all aplications, they´re even used throughout the web -Flash images are vector based animations compressed for delivery on the Web-. Editing these images is quite similar to playing with curves in Maya, since the Bezier principles are almost the same -I say almost since I don´t know if Maya uses another type of mathematical curve-*
Most common vector editing applications are CorelDraw, Freehand, Flash ... and again an industry standard, Adobe´s Illustrator.

When you render an image in Maya, you´re actually rendering a bitmap image. Although this works perfectly for screen-delivered ads, movies etc, it starts to get cumbersome when used in printing industry -Since vector delivered images are easier to work with when printing and offer generally better results-. With all this said, you can see why vector rendering in Maya is spreading some ripples throughout the industry. This would make Maya work more or less for everybody, including ... us. Graphic Designers.

Originally posted by adldesigner Mike, you´re right. The only thing it imports is the curve itself. He has to either plannar fill it, or loft it with something to create a surface, and then shade it using the correct color values.

Another powerful way to create surfaces from curves is Maya's BevelPlus feature (a very underrated and underused feature, IMO).

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